User interface securing assembly

ABSTRACT

A user interface securing assembly for securing a user interface at the front of a user-wearable garment. The assembly includes a flap having a first edge for joining to the front of the garment to form a generally horizontal hinge line, and a second, opposite, edge which may be free. A user interface securing device is connected to the flap between those edges, the flap being swingable about the hinge line between a closed position wherein the flap lies against the garment and an open position wherein the flap extends away from the garment with the securing device facing upward. A fastening device releasably fastens the flap in its closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a user interface such as a personal digital assistant, handheld computer game and the like which has a working surface containing a pad, and/or display which must be viewed by a user while the user actuates the keys on the pad. It relates especially to a securing assembly for securing such a user interface to a garment worn by the user.

Handheld user interfaces of the type of interest here are usually carried by the user in a general purpose pocket of a garment being worn by the user. When the interface is to be used, it must be removed from the pocket and held in front of the user so that the user can view the interface's display and/or pad and manipulate the unit's keys or control buttons using the digits of one or both hands. If while the device is being used, the user should accidentally lose his/her grip on the device, it will fall to the ground and may become irreparably damaged. This could be a likely event particularly when the is user is trying to manipulate the device with cold fingers in a northern climate. When the interface is no longer being used, it must be returned to the user's pocket or stowed away in some other less convenient location. Thus, the interface takes up limited pocket space which could be used for other purposes.

Also, it is well known that moisture can cause problems for handheld electronic devices of the type of interest here. That is, a user interface, when in use, may be adversely affected by rain. Less obviously, it may also be damaged by the user's perspiration, even when the interface is stowed in the user's pocket, particularly when the user is active on a hot summer day.

It would thus be desirable if there existed a securing assembly specifically designed to support, secure and protect a user interface at a location in front of a user where the device would normally be positioned when in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a user interface securing assembly which may secure a user interface to a location on the front of a garment worn by the user near where the device is normally positioned when in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly of this type which protectively encloses the interface when the interface is not in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a user interface securing assembly which may be incorporated into, or added to, a garment often worn by a user of such a device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such an interface that will shield the interface from moisture.

Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Briefly, my user interface securing assembly is designed to be incorporated into, or added to, the front of a garment which may be worn by the user of the interface. The assembly comprises a flap having a first edge adapted to be joined to the front of the garment to form a horizontal hinge line, and a second, generally opposite edge which may be free. A user interface securing device is connected to the flap between those edges, and the flap is grippable by the user and swingable between a closed position wherein the flap lies flush against the garment and an open position wherein the flap extends away from the garment with the securing device facing upward.

Thus, my assembly provides a very convenient protective enclosure for the interface when that device is not in use that is located very near the spot where the device will be positioned when in use. Furthermore, the interface always remains attached to the assembly so that if the user should accidentally lose his/her grip on the interface when using same, the device will not fall to the ground.

As will be described in more detail later, the securing device may shield the interface from outside moisture that could damage the electronic circuitry therein, even when the interface is not in use.

Further, as we shall see, the assembly is relatively easy and inexpensive to make so that its incorporation into a garment should not materially increase the overall cost of the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of a garment incorporating a user interface support assembly according to the invention, showing the assembly in its closed position;

FIG. 1B is a similar view of the garment, showing the assembly in its open position;

FIG. 2A is a sectional view on a larger scale taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a similar view taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary elevational view of a second embodiment of the assembly, showing the assembly in its closed position, and

FIG. 3B is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2B, showing that second embodiment in a partially open position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B of the drawings, a user U is shown wearing a garment G incorporating a user interface support assembly shown generally at 10 according to this invention. FIG. 1A shows assembly 10 in a closed position supporting a user interface 12 wherein the interface is stowed flat against garment G and completely enclosed within assembly 10. FIG. 1B illustrates assembly 10 in an open position, is allowing the user to grip the interface 12 with one hand so that the interface extends out away from the garment with its working surface 12 a facing upward. Thus, by looking down, the user can see the display and/or pad at that surface and depress the appropriate keys or buttons with the fingers of the other hand. Alternatively, the user may grip the interface with the fingers of both hands and depress the keys or buttons with his/her thumbs in the usual way.

As used herein, the term “user interface” is meant to include a cell phone, personal digital assistant, electronic game, computing device, calculator, pocket radio or television, audio player, camera and other comparable handheld electronic devices.

As shown in those figures, garment G may include a breast pocket P for holding one or two ear buds 13 a with a variable length lead 13 b that may be connected to interface 12 when the interface is in its open position and each ear bud is placed in a user's ear as shown in FIG. 1B. Alternatively, the ear bud(s) may be stowed in a garment collar pocket or in assembly 10 along with interface 12 and possibly a battery charger for the interface. If desired, a channel C (FIG. 1A) may extend along the garment front panel between the collar and the assembly 10 to accommodate lead 13 b.

Refer now to FIGS. 2A and 2B which show the components of assembly 10 in greater detail. As seen there, assembly 10 includes a flap 14 having an upper edge or margin 14 a joined to the front of garment G by stitching 15 or other suitable joining means such as adhesive, releasable fasteners or the like so as to form a generally horizontal hinge line L about which flap 14 may fold or swing. Flap 14 also has a second edge or margin 14 b which is more or less parallel to edge or margin 14 a and which hangs free when assembly is in its open position shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B.

Flap 14 may be of the same flexible material as garment G or of any other suitable fabric or plastic sheet material.

The user interface 12 is releasably secured to flap 14 between its ends or margins 14 a and 14 b by a securing device shown generally at 16. In the assembly embodiment 10, device 16 may include a case 18 having a transparent face and which protectively encloses interface 12 such that the working surface 12 a of the interface is still visible and accessible as shown. Case 18 may, in turn, be connected to flap 14 by a connection such as a pivot 22 which extends through the back of case 18 and through the flap, thus allowing the case 18 and its contents to pivot about the axis A when assembly 10 is in its open position shown in FIG. 2B. This allows the interface 12 to be oriented relative to the user so that either a side or an end thereof is closest to the user depending upon the user's preference for a given user interface. In the event that such rotation is neither needed nor desired, case 18 may be secured to flap 14 by other fixed or releasable securing means such as staples, adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners, stitching, etc. Also, case 18 may be a conventional case or one which is specially designed and dimensioned to mate with the flap component of the assembly.

In any event, when assembly 10 is in its open position, the case 18 and interface surface 12 a face upward and are visible to the user. Thus, the user can clearly see the display at surface 12 a and manipulate any control keys or buttons on that surface. It is important to note that if the user should lose his/her grip on the interface when using same, the attached flap will prevent the interface from falling to the ground and possibly being damaged by the impact. Also, the case 18 protects the interface from moisture damage due to the weather and user perspiration.

In assembly 10 described thus far, the flap 14 is quite long so that it hangs down an appreciable distance below case 18 when assembly 10 is in its open position shown in FIG. 2B. Thus, when the user interface 12 is no longer in use, the user may release the interface so that the flap and interface may hang down vertically from hinge line L. Then, the lower segment of the flap may be folded up and over the front of the interface as shown in FIG. 2 until the flap 14 is doubled back on itself with the edges 14 a and 14 b of the flap being more or less in register. Those opposing edges, as well as the opposing side edges of the flap, may be releasably fastened together by mating fastener elements such as the illustrated hook and loop fastener strips 24 a and 24 b, or comparable releasable fasteners such as snap fasteners, magnetic strips, etc.

When assembly 10 is in its closed position shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, the user interface 12 lies flush against the front of the user and is protectively enclosed within the folded flap 14 so that it is shielded from impacts as well as from the weather.

Obviously, the specific dimensions of the flap may vary depending upon the shape and size of the interface 12.

Refer now to FIGS. 3A and 3B which illustrate a second embodiment of the interface support assembly indicated generally at 30. In FIG. 3A, the assembly 30 is shown in its closed position wherein the user interface 12 is protectively enclosed by the assembly, whereas FIG. 3B shows the assembly 30 in a partially open position.

Assembly 30 comprises a flap 34 joined to the front of garment G by stitches 35 or by other known permanent or releasable fastening means so that the flap can swing about a generally horizontal hinge line L at the bottom of the flap. In this case, the fold line is located more or less midway along the length of the flap and at least part of a flap area between a flap upper edge or margin 34 a and that line is joined to garment G. The user interface 12 is secured to flap 34 between hinge line L and a free edge or margin 34 b of the flap by a securing device shown generally at 36.

In this embodiment, the securing device 36 comprises one or more mating hook and loop fastener strip(s) 38 a and 38 b. Strip(s) 38 a may be adhered or otherwise secured to the back of user interface 12, while strip(s) 38 b is adhered or otherwise secured to flap 34 between edges or margins 34 a, 34 b thereof. As with the FIGS. 1A and 1B embodiment of the invention, flap 34 may be swung about the hinge line L between an open position wherein the securing device 36 and the working surface 12 a of interface 12 face upward, and a closed position wherein the interface 12 and flap 34 lie generally parallel to the garment G.

The flap may be releasably secured in its closed position by mating hook and loop fastener strips 42 a and 42 b extending along the opposite side edges of flap 34 above (42 a) and below (42 b) the hinge line L. Thus, when assembly 30 is in its closed position shown in FIG. 3A, the user interface 12 is protectively enclosed within a pocket formed by the folded flap 34. If desired, the mouth of that pocket may be closed by mating snap fastener elements 44 a and 44 b, which elements may also be used at the sides of the flap in lieu of the hook and loop fastener strips 42 a, 42 b, and in the FIG. 1 assembly embodiment.

In this embodiment, the interface is not enclosed within a protective case 18. Therefore, to ensure that the interface will not be damaged by moisture from rain or perspiration when stowed away, the flap 34 may be made of a moisture impermeable material such as a sheet of plastic or a sheet of fabric/film laminate.

It will thus be seen the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained. Also, certain changes may be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the assemblies 10 and 30 may be made part of the garment G as sold or joined to the garment by the consumer. In the former case, a lower margin of flap 34 just above the hinge line L in FIGS. 3A, 3B may be joined to the garment, the rest of the flap above that joint being omitted and the fasteners 42 a, 44 a being anchored directly to the garment G. Therefore, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention described herein. 

1. A user interface securing assembly for securing a user interface at the front of a user-wearable garment, said assembly comprising: a flap having a first margin for joining to the front of the garment to form a generally horizontal hinge line, and a second, generally opposite, margin which may be free; a user interface securing device connected to the flap between said margins, said flap being grippable by the user and swingable about the hinge line between a closed position wherein the flap lies against the garment and an open position wherein the flap extends away from the garment with the securing device facing upward, and a fastening device for releasably fastening the flap in said closed position.
 2. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the securing device includes a case for containing a user interface, and a connection connecting the case to said flap.
 3. The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein the connection is a pivotal connection which allows the case to pivot generally parallel to the flap.
 4. The assembly defined in claim 2 and further including a user interface contained in the case, said user interface having a working surface facing away from the flap so that when the flap is in said open position, the working surface faces upward.
 5. The assembly defined in claim 4 wherein the user interface is selected from the group consisting of cell phone, personal digital assistant, electronic game, computer, pocket radio, pocket television, audio player, video player and camera.
 6. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening device comprises first and second mating fasteners, said first fastener being connected to said flap, said second fastener adapted for connection to a user interface and said first and second fasteners, when mated, becoming releasably fastened together.
 7. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein the first and second fasteners comprise mating snaps.
 8. The assembly defined in claim 6 wherein the first and second fasteners comprise mating hook-and-loop fasteners.
 9. The assembly defined in claim 6 and further including a user interface connected to said second fastener.
 10. The assembly defined in claim 1 and further including a garment front panel and a horizontal joint between said flap and said panel.
 11. The assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said joint defines the hinge line.
 12. The assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said joint joins an upper margin of the flap to said panel.
 13. The assembly defined in claim 10 wherein the joint joins a lower margin of the flap to said panel.
 14. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening device includes mating fastener elements for securing together all opposing free edges of the flap when the flap is in said closed position.
 15. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said first margin is the lower margin of the flap and the flap also includes side edges, and further including fasteners releasably fastening the opposing edges of the flap when the flap is in said closed position to form a pocket that contains the securing device.
 16. The assembly defined in claim 15 and further including a user interface secured to the flap by the securing device.
 17. The assembly defined in claim 16 wherein the securing device includes a pivot which allows the user interface to pivot generally parallel to the flap when the flap is in said open position.
 18. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said flap is of a moisture impermeable material.
 19. A garment incorporating a user interface securing assembly, said securing assembly including a flap having a first margin joined to the garment to form a generally horizontal hinge line, and a second, generally opposite, margin which may be free; a user interface securing device connected to the flap between said margins, said flap being grippable by a wearer of the garment and swingable about the hinge line between a closed position wherein the flap lies against the garment and an open position wherein the flap extends away from the garment with the securing device facing upward, and a fastening device for releasably fastening the flap in said closed position.
 20. The garment defined in claim 19 wherein the first margin is an upper edge margin of the flap.
 21. The garment defined in claim 19 wherein the first margin is a lower margin of the flap.
 22. The garment defined in claim 19 and further including a user interface removably attached to the flap by the securing device.
 23. The garment defined in claim 22 and further including a receptacle in the garment for holding ear buds with an extendable/retractable plug-in lead and/or a battery charger for the interface device.
 24. The garment defined in claim 23 and further including ear buds in the receptacle and a channel in the garment connecting the receptacle and securing assembly.
 25. The garment defined in claim 19 wherein the user interface is selected from the group consisting of cell phone, personal digital assistant, electronic game, computer, pocket radio, pocket television, audio player, video player and camera. 